• To receive $26.2 million for human capital development
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Kogi State Government is set to benefit from a $500 million World Bank-assisted fund aimed at enhancing access to high-quality basic education and primary healthcare services across Nigeria.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris, disclosed this during a Citizens' Sensitization Programme in Lokoja. He revealed that Kogi would receive $26.2 million under the initiative to boost human capital development in the state.
The World Bank-supported programme, known as the HOPE-GOV initiative, is designed to provide enhanced funding to strengthen essential services. Idris emphasized that education and healthcare form the foundation of a productive and resilient society, making their improvement critical for the state's progress and inclusive growth.
"Improved funding for education and healthcare, which are two major indices of human capital development, is crucial for accelerating progress and fostering inclusive growth in Kogi State," Idris stated.
The State Accountant General and World Bank Fiscal Focal Person, Dr. Habibat Tijani, highlighted the initiative’s role in promoting fiscal transparency, enhancing budget credibility, and ensuring accountability in the use of funds. According to her, the HOPE-GOV initiative will significantly improve the availability and effectiveness of financing for education and healthcare, ensuring better recruitment and performance of teachers and healthcare workers in Kogi.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, commended the initiative and lauded Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration for its commitment to revitalizing the education sector. He noted that the current government has already allocated over ₦1.2 billion to cover external examination fees for pupils and students in primary and secondary schools across the state.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams, expressed optimism about the programme’s potential to transform healthcare service delivery. He stated that the initiative would enhance access to essential healthcare services and improve the overall well-being of Kogi’s residents.
The HOPE-GOV initiative aligns with Kogi State’s broader agenda to improve human capital development, ensuring that citizens have better access to quality education and healthcare services. The financial boost from the World Bank is expected to further drive infrastructural improvements, increase staff capacity, and enhance service delivery in the state’s education and healthcare sectors.
As the state prepares to implement the initiative, stakeholders and residents are hopeful that the funds will be effectively utilized to bring about sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all Kogi residents.
